PDP queries Buhari’s protection of suspended NHIS boss

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to come out clear on why he has been protective of the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Prof. Usman Yusuf.

Yusuf, who was on Friday suspended by the Board of the NHIS, has been fingered in various alleged corrupt practices, including the alleged siphoning of over N25 billion from the coffers of the agency.

Despite the suspension order, Yusuf reported for work on Monday and was escorted into his office by a detachment of armed policemen.

In a statement Monday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party accused the “Presidency cabal” of directly complicit in the alleged NHIS fraud and seeking every means to ensure a cover up.

The PDP recalled that the Executive Secretary was in July 2017 suspended by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole over alleged gross misconduct and corrupt practices.

The party also recalled that how President Buhari, upon his return to the country from vacation in February, 2018, reinstated Prof Yusuf while he was still being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The statement said, “The PDP invites Nigerians to note how the Presidency has continued to provide official cover for accused official even without the slightest investigation of the allegations and sanction by both the Minister and the Governing Council.

“We ask: Why is the Presidency protecting an official of government openly indicted for corruption? What is the Presidency trying to conceal by ensuring that Prof. Yusuf remains the Executive Secretary after his indictment?

“Furthermore, why is the Presidency vehemently opposed to any form of investigation on the activities of NHIS under Prof. Yakubu? Is it true that there are fears in the Presidency that an investigation will expose the alleged involvement of individuals close to the President in the reported fraud in the scheme?

“Finally, while the PDP describes as reprehensible that an administration which prides itself as fighting corruption will continue to provide official cover for its officials indicted of corruption, the party urges Nigerians to continue to hold President Buhari responsible for the corruption in NHIS, as well as the siphoning of trillions of naira from various agencies, under his watch”.